Patrick Godbey, M.D., FCAP, laboratory director and Chief, Department of Pathology,
Southeast Georgia Health System, was recently named Pathologist of the Year by the College of American
Pathologists (CAP), the world’s largest organization for the medical
doctors who diagnose and study disease.
Godbey received the recognition due to his long and distinguished career
in pathology. In addition to the Health System, Godbey currently serves
as CEO and laboratory director of Southeastern Pathology Associates, and
is chair of the board of the Camden Healthcare Network. During his 30
years as a CAP member, Godbey served two full terms as a member of the
CAP Board of Governors.
“I am humbled to be named Pathologist of the Year. So many pathologists
immediately took up the fight against COVID-19 and we much more than answered
the call,” says Godbey. “It was my privilege to lead the CAP
during this most challenging of times. I am certainly honored to be the
recipient of this prestigious award, but I know there is a large number
of Fellows in this College who are also truly Pathologists of the Year.”
From 2019-2021, Godbey served as CAP president. He skillfully led the CAP
through the COVID-19 pandemic by positioning and promoting pathologists
as indispensable. He also increased the flexibility and visibility of
the laboratory. In addition, Godbey directed the formation of the CAP’s
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Committee. Further, Godbey conceived and
helped direct the pathologist’s pipeline initiative, working to
introduce the pathology specialty to more medical students.
As chair of the Council on Government and Professional Affairs, Godbey
oversaw the direction of the organization’s legislative and regulatory
advocacy efforts on behalf of patients, pathologists and medical laboratories.
He also led numerous CAP councils and committees.
CAP is the world’s largest organization of board-certified pathologists
and leading provider of laboratory accreditation and proficiency testing
programs. CAP serves patients, pathologists and the public by fostering
and advocating excellence in the practice of pathology and laboratory
medicine. Laboratories earning CAP certification, including those located
on the Health System’s Brunswick and Camden campuses, meet the industry’s
highest standards and their accreditation is recognized worldwide.
After receiving his medical degree in 1979 from the Medical College of
Georgia in Augusta, Godbey completed internship and residency programs
in obstetrics and gynecology and anatomic and clinical pathology at the
Medical College of Georgia. He is board-certified in anatomic and clinical
pathology as well as obstetrics and gynecology.
Godbey joined the Southeast Georgia Health System medical staff in 1983
as an obstetrician and gynecologist before transitioning to the practice
of anatomic and clinical pathology. He is a Fellow of the American College
of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, a board member of the Georgia Association
of Pathology, and a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society,
Phi Beta Kappa, the Chinese American Pathologists Association, and the
Florida Society of Pathologists.